“We are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan but in an atmosphere free of terror and violence,” he said.

“It is incumbent upon Pakistan to create the right conditions for that political dialogue to take place.”

However, Swarup said that issues like cross-border firing and fishermen straying into each other’s waters were important to both India and Pakistan.

“Humanitarian issues will always be important to us and, in fact, important to both countries and any mechanism, institutions which promote cooperation on humanitarian issues must be pursued,” he stated.